Mary Marquet was a French classical music artist who was born on April 14, 1913, in Algiers, Algeria. She was the daughter of a French father and an Italian mother. Her father was a musician who played the violin, and her mother was a singer. Marquet grew up in a musical family and started playing the piano at a young age. Marquet's family moved to France when she was a child, and she continued her musical education there. She studied at the Conservatoire de Paris, where she was a student of Marguerite Long and Alfred Cortot. Marquet was a talented pianist, and she won several awards during her time at the conservatory. After completing her studies, Marquet began performing in concerts and recitals throughout France. She quickly gained a reputation as a skilled pianist and was praised for her technical ability and musical interpretation. In 1937, she made her debut at the Salle Pleyel in Paris, where she performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4. Marquet's career was interrupted by World War II, and she spent several years in hiding to avoid persecution by the Nazis. After the war, she resumed her career and continued to perform in concerts and recitals throughout Europe. In 1949, she made her debut in the United States, where she performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Marquet was known for her interpretations of the works of Chopin, Beethoven, and Mozart. She was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered works by several French composers, including Francis Poulenc and Darius Milhaud. In addition to her career as a pianist, Marquet was also a respected teacher. She taught at the Conservatoire de Paris and the École Normale de Musique de Paris, where she mentored several young pianists who went on to have successful careers. Marquet received several awards and honors during her career. In 1953, she was awarded the Prix de la Ville de Paris, and in 1961, she was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. She was also a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts and the Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques. Marquet continued to perform and teach until her death on December 1, 1979, in Paris, France. She was remembered as a talented pianist and a dedicated teacher who had a profound impact on the world of classical music.

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